FAQ VI:
What if I have multiple certificates?
I hold a certificate in one field of medical physics and am working toward certification in another. When I enter MOC, which certification date will take precedence for my MOC cycle? If I have more than one time-limited ABR certificate, what do I need to do? Are my requirements and fees doubled? I hold multiple certificates. When I earn MPCECs, who decides to which of my certificates they apply?
Responses
I hold a certificate in one field of medical physics and am working toward certification in another. When I enter MOC, which certification date will take precedence for my MOC cycle?
They are not grouped. The full ten years will apply to each certificate.
If I have more than one time-limited ABR certificate, what do I need to do? Are my requirements and fees doubled?
No, your requirements and fees are not doubled if you hold two time-limited certificates, nor tripled for three. The MOC program is designed so that your overall participation requirements and fees remain the same, regardless of how many certificates you hold.
The concept may be simplified if you view yourself as "One FTE" (full-time equivalent) participating in MOC on a schedule defined by your governing cycle. (Your governing cycle is the 10-year cycle of the ABR certificate that you earned first in your career.)
- One FTE needs to satisfy Component 1 only once.
- One FTE needs only 250 CME credits, with the caveat that within the 250, at least 75 Category 1 credits must be completed related to each area of certification.
- One FTE needs only 20 SAMs, with the caveat that within the 20, at least four must be related to each area of certification.
- One FTE needs to engage in only one practice quality improvement project.
The exception to the "one FTE" concept is the third component, the cognitive expertise examination. A diplomate with multiple certificates in medical physics must take and pass the respective examination in each area of certification, within the last three years of that certificate's cycle.
Each certificate retains its own 10-year cycle. This implies that while your progress is measured as acceptable or not according to the schedule for your governing cycle, you must be making acceptable progress on governing cycle requirements and fees at the end of your non-governing cycle(s) - and pass the exam for that certificate - in order to qualify for a new 10-year MOC certificate(s) at the end of that cycle(s).
I hold multiple certificates. When I earn MPCECs, who decides to which of my certificates they apply?
No, but lifelong learning, self-assessment and maintenance of certification are reflections of the professional determination and commitment to quality patient care.
Could state licensing boards or other entities that issue practice privileges begin requiring maintenance of certification, even for lifetime certificate holders?
All credits earned are counted toward all certificates held.
